Across the hospitality industry, guests’ expectations are increasing, and wellness is coming to the fore. Visitors are looking for an experience that exceeds the norm and delivers on levels that were once not a consideration. Wellness is no longer a luxury; it’s an expectation. Visitors want venues that feel as good as they look — where design, atmosphere, and comfort work together to restore calm and connection.
When guests, delegates, and members look for venues, they want a feeling of balance, comfort, and calm. Whether it’s a hotel lobby, meeting room, conference hall, or banquet, design choices have a real impact on how people relax, focus, and connect.
It’s important to understand that furniture plays a powerful role in that experience. The right choice of furniture doesn’t just fill a space, it helps shape the mood, flow, and overall well-being of everyone who steps inside.
How to create a calm environment to support wellness
The shapes, colours and materials of your furniture directly impact a guest’s first impression. Wellness settings draw on nature, which can be reflected in furniture choices.
- Shapes – Curved or rounded shapes replicate the natural flow of nature. Avoid hard lines and corners, as they evoke an industrial, manufactured feel.
- Colours – Warm tones reflect a welcome, healthier space. Cold colours, although they can look smart and professional, are often associated with clinical environments, where guests may have negative experiences.
- Fabric/materials – The sense of touch can generate an emotional response, which is why soft, cushioned surfaces are the perfect way to tap into the feeling of luxury and pleasure. Hard, rough or cold surfaces will generate fewer complementary reactions.
- Layout – People feel more comfortable and relaxed when they’re not seated too close together and are away from high-traffic areas.
- Partition your space – By using partitions, you can help reduce sound transmission and create a quieter, more pleasant environment. Too much background noise, echo, or crowding can subconsciously raise stress levels. However, an area doesn’t always need total silence, which can be even more awkward; it needs balance.
Burgess in action: Creating a wellness-driven breakout space
A perfect example of this approach is seen in a breakout area featuring Burgess’ 360 Divide Partitions and Smartrocks soft seating — creating an organic, inviting atmosphere that feels natural rather than rigid or formal:
- 360 Divide Partitions – With curved lines, soft material, and warm colours, they are a great solution for creating quieter zones whilst also absorbing sound from travelling.
- Smartrocks – As the name suggests, these were designed to reflect the natural world. In this instance, the wood tones almost reflect the stumps of wood rather than rocks, where you might take a relaxing seat while exploring.
- Natural light and plants – By positioning the furniture near a good source of natural light and complementing the space with plants, you will help to complete your well-being area.
Give your guests the comfort that encourages them to stay longer
Furniture that supports wellness goals must go beyond aesthetics. It needs to provide comfort for people to relax for long periods, options for enjoying drinks and nibbles, and a convenient space for groups of any size or couples.
When guests feel at ease, they linger longer, engage in deeper conversations, and leave with a more positive impression of the venue. For operators, that means higher dwell time and potentially more revenue from food and drink sales.
Wellness through sustainability and longevity
Well-being extends beyond the confines of any venue. Guests are increasingly aware of where products are sourced, the materials used to create them, and their longevity. Furniture that looks or feels cheap not only diminishes your guests’ perception but also signals a disregard for sustainability.
A long-lasting chair or table not only saves cost, but it also shows all your visitors that you are invested in their well-being, building trust and stability.
Wellness will be the new standard of the future in hospitality
As the world rapidly changes, taking on board new technology, environmental concerns and how everything around us impacts our emotional well-being. What was considered a passing trend will soon become the marker of quality hospitality as the industry embraces guest wellness.
At Burgess, we’ve always believed great design supports both people and purpose. Our furniture is crafted to enhance movement, comfort, and mood – because in tomorrow’s hospitality world, well-being won’t be optional. It will define the venues guests remember most.
If you need help creating your wellness space, contact our team by emailing hello@burgessfuniture.com or call us on +44 (0)33 0333 9258.